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IFC picked up another British comedy, The IT Crowd which is currently airing in the U.K. on Channel 4. The series, which is distributed worldwide by FremantleMedia Enterprises, will air in the new AUTOMAT programming block on Tuesday nights beginning September 30. The IT Crowd is about the technical support team of a fictional corporation and consists of six 30m episodes for each of the three seasons. IFC will air the first two seasons this fall and the third will air in early 2009 after its premiere on Channel 4 this fall. (Cynopsis 8/13)

Tori Spelling and CBS Paramount Network Television could not come to terms on a contract for her to appear on The CW’s 90210. The plan was to have Tori reprise her Donna Martin character on a recurring basis. Former stars from the original series, Jennie Garth, Joe E. Tata and Shannen Doherty are still scheduled to make appearances throughout the season on the new series. (Cynopsis 8/13)

CBS is bringing back a new version of the classic cop series Hawaii Five-O. the original series Steve McGarrett, played by Jack Lord, headed the fictional Hawaiian state police department. In the new edition, Steve’s son Chris will be in charge. (Cynopsis 8/13)

CNN said it would cover breaking news in 10 cities with journalists filing their reports using laptops and mobile phones. The move is designed to save on the cost of leasing office space for traditional bureaus and, according to Nancy Lane, CNN’s senior vice president for news gathering in the U.S., it “completely changes how we can report” because it “enables us to be anywhere and be live from anywhere.” The New York Times (8/12) , The Washington Post/Associated Press (8/12)

Comcast, which already offers a video-on-demand channel focusing on horror movies, has announced that it will set up a similar venture with action-oriented fare. The new VOD service, to be called Impact, will be populated with more than 1,000 theatricals and TV shows produced for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Houston Chronicle/Associated Press (8/12) , TVNEWSDAY (free registration) (8/12)

Looking to spotlight its emphasis on musical performances, MTV Networks will rebrand MHD, its high-definition music channel, as Palladia on Sept. 1. “It’s a bigger, more distinct name for a channel that has grown in size as well as satisfaction among music HD fans,” said Tom Calderone, who oversees Palladia, which currently passes more than 12 million homes. World Screen News (8/12)

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